Mexico was positioned for a field goal with the game tied at 21 on Friday at home.

The Bulldogs hoped to walk off winners for Homecoming, but the 39-yard kick was blocked and Collin Knox returned the ball 68 yards for a touchdown with 7.8 seconds left for a 28-21 Mexico loss. After scoring the first 14 points, Moberly (3-5, 3-2 NCMC) scored the next 21 points to take the advantage.

Head coach Steve Haag summed up to his team after the game that Moberly made more plays than Mexico (5-3, 3-2 NCMC) did. That, of course, applies to the blocked kick but also to moments earlier in the game. Moberly scored two touchdowns in the final 3 minutes of the first half to tie the game at 14 heading into halftime.

Mexico vs Moberly Photo Gallery

“We’re up 14-0 in the first quarter, and it’s 3rd-and-36 and we allow a first down,” Haag said. “They punch it in 14-7. Not much later, it’s 14-14 at half. At worst, I think it should be 14-0.”

Charlie Fisher was one of many fall sports and activities seniors recognized before the game with his family, and he stood out on the field with a 35-yard passing touchdown to senior Kaden Benne and a 4-yard scramble over the pylon on fourth down to tie the game at 21 halfway through the fourth quarter. Fisher finished with 115 yards on 14 carries and 79 yards on 4-for-11 passing.

“We’d run that quite a few times,” Haag said. “Charlie decides to pull it, and he takes it in the end zone.”

Mexico finished with 260 rushing yards and had the ball in the red zone another time in the fourth quarter before being stopped on fourth down. The Bulldogs were deep into Moberly territory again after using all three timeouts to stop the clock and forcing a punt.

“That blocked kick for a touchdown, we’re probably not even kicking it there (if not for earlier plays in the game),” Haag said. “You’ve got to make plays. It doesn’t matter if you’re a senior or sophomore. When you’re out there on Friday night, you’ve got to make a play.”

Drew DeMint is one senior who didn’t play after sustaining a season-ending foot injury during the previous week at Kirksville. DeMint is Mexico’s leading rusher this season and is second in tackles as a key member of the secondary.

Haag said DeMint has grown much since he was an underclassman into a competent player on both sides of the ball. DeMint’s physicality is missed on tasks like running, blocking and on defense.

“It’s always a big deal when someone of that caliber isn’t on the football field,” Haag said. “With his physicality and everything, on some of these runs, I guarantee he was going to be more physical than the guys that were tackling him.”

Sophomore Brysen Hammers had a bigger role, picking up first downs and scoring a touchdown in the first half. Korbyn Dorsey provided a senior presence with 81 yards on 19 carries, but Haag said it is tough to throw sophomores on the field against upperclassmen but gaining confidence helps them.

Haag said that is what helped sophomore quarterback Jarin Tydings as he used his legs to extend plays and complete crucial passes, including a long first down to Ethan Land that set up a touchdown and a touchdown pass to Land to tie the game. Tydings threw for 121 yards on 10-for-14 passing, and the Spartans had 226 total yards. He is Moberly’s third-string option, Haag said, after injuries have also made their way through Moberly.

“They did a good job rolling their quarterback out, he got out into space and he threw some short passes that gave him some confidence,” Haag said. “A young guy like that starts getting confidence throwing the ball is only going to get more confident. They were hungry to get the win.”

Haag said Hammers has done well filling the void, and Mexico has other options they can use to adjust before its regular season finale at 1 p.m. Saturday at MICDS (4-3).

“They’re going to learn and get better,” Haag said. “We have to go to battle with them now. Next guy up.”

At one time, this year’s seniors were underclassmen trying to find their role within the team. Haag said they each have done that and it is another great group of kids on and off the field.

This year, Haag’s youngest son, McIntosh, is part of the senior class so Haag said he knows this particular group well. Haag remembers watching these kids play in Optimist football when they were younger and it has been fun watching them grow.

“Being my son’s senior year, with these guys, you’re just a little bit more involved in them and seeing them grow because you’re at their sporting events and you know their friends,” Haag said. “Every senior class is special that comes out and plays and sweats for Mexico football. They are no different.”